US Trade Negotiators Reach Agreement with China in Switzerland, Reflecting Eagerness to Rebalance Relations. The meeting between US trade negotiators Kevin Hassett, Greer, and He marked a significant development in the bilateral tariffs imposed on each other's goods. Chinese officials were described as "tough negotiators" by Greer, while Hassett noted their eagerness to engage in discussions and rebalance trade relations with the US. The talks took place at a gated villa in Switzerland, overlooking Lake Geneva, where Washington seeks to reduce its $295 billion goods trade deficit with Beijing and persuade China to adopt a more consumption-driven economic model.
https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/productive-talks-us-china-reach-deal-to-cut-trade-deficit-says-us-treasury-secretary-scott-bessent-8389162#pfrom=home-ndtv_topscrollThe US, Europe, and Ukraine are pushing for a 30-day ceasefire, which could pressure Russia into compliance. Ukrainian President Zelensky has signaled readiness to discuss talks if Russia agrees to the ceasefire starting May 12. The proposal was agreed upon with US President Donald Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron, who also warned that sanctions would be tightened against Russia if it refuses. Russian President Vladimir Putin proposed resuming direct talks in Istanbul, but ignored the ceasefire initiative.
https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-polytics/3991702-europe-us-positions-on-pressuring-russia-aligning-again-estonias-pm.htmlUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expects Russia to commit to a 30-day ceasefire starting May 12, following a proposal by European leaders and backed by the US. He expressed hope that Russia is considering ending the three-year-old war, which began with Moscow's 2022 invasion, calling it a "positive sign".
https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/1310526-ready-for-talks-expect-russia-to-commit-to-ceasefire-ukrainian-president-zelenskyBritish negotiators are preparing for a summit on May 19 in London, where they plan to "reset" the UK's relationship with the EU, a term Brexiteers fear is code for capitulation. The UK government has confirmed it will sign up to permanent alignment with EU rules in areas like agriculture in exchange for a closer trading relationship. This approach was inspired by Switzerland's deal with the EU, which allows partial membership of the single market for goods and requires accepting EU rules and making payments into the Brussels budget. The European Commission is demanding that the UK negotiate a "youth mobility scheme" similar to its arrangement with Canada, which would allow young adults aged 18-35 to live and work in the UK.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14699407/Keir-Starmer-Swiss-model-Brussels-budget.htmlA ceasefire held between India and Pakistan on Sunday after four days of intense fighting that killed at least 60 people, with US President Donald Trump announcing the halt to hostilities on social media. However, India's foreign secretary said New Delhi retaliated against Pakistan for violating the truce, while Pakistan claimed its forces were handling Indian violations with "responsibility and restraint". The fragile peace was marred by heavy shelling in Kashmir, with residents describing it as a "fragile peace" that is "very precarious", and analysts warning of continued low-intensity attacks.
https://www.thestar.com.my/aseanplus/aseanplus-news/2025/05/11/india-pakistan-ceasefire-holds-after-early-violations-and-being-at-the-brink-of-all-out-warA ceasefire between India and Pakistan appears to be holding after four days of intense fighting, the worst conflict since 1999. The pause followed claims from both nations that the other had violated the truce, with artillery fire witnessed in Indian-administered Kashmir just hours after the agreement was reached. US President Donald Trump vowed to help the arch-rivals find a solution on the disputed Kashmir region, praising their leaders for agreeing to halt aggression and promising to substantially increase trade.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-05-11/india-and-pakistan-ceasefire-appears-to-hold/105279850Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva arrived in China for a state visit and to attend a gathering of Latin American leaders, where Beijing expressed concerns about "bullying" of the region and unilateral sanctions against countries like Brazil. During his five-day visit, Lula announced plans to establish new partnerships and sign cooperation agreements in multiple areas, highlighting China as Brazil's largest trading partner since 2009.
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3309898/brazils-lula-arrives-china-beijing-decries-bullying-latin-america?module=top_story&pgtype=section#commentsFrench President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk have arrived in Kyiv for the Coalition of the Willing summit, where they called on Russia to agree to a 30-day ceasefire. They pledged to increase support for Ukraine.
https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-polytics/3991601-zelensky-starmer-discuss-further-strengthening-ukraines-defense.htmlRussian President Vladimir Putin proposed direct talks with Ukraine on May 15 in Istanbul, aiming to eliminate the root causes of the conflict and achieve a lasting peace. He called for Kyiv to resume negotiations without preconditions, following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 that has resulted in hundreds of thousands of soldier deaths and the gravest confrontation between Russia and the West since the 1962 Cuban missile crisis.
https://www.scmp.com/news/world/russia-central-asia/article/3309885/russias-putin-proposes-direct-peace-talks-ukraine-no-preconditions?module=top_story&pgtype=section#comments